State Street Ballet’s Nutcracker returned to the Granada’s Stage after a highly successful tour of the Western US with their sumptuous and elegantly performed version of the Holiday classic with Tchaikovsky’s delightful score performed live by the Opera San Luis Obispo Grand Orchestra. Each year Co-Artistic director Rodney Gustafson makes some subtle changes to his choreography of this staple of SSB’s rep, and this outing was no exception as long-time dancer Sergei Domrachev took over and hilariously made his own the role of Herr Drosselmeyer. New Year’s Eve wouldn’t be the same without the Santa B Symphony’s annual pop musical celebration of the last night of the year under the amiable and fun direction of guest conductor Bob Bernhardt. This year it was a trip down memory lane to some of the greatest hits by women rockers, and the audience loved it!
